Plolycarbonate plastic is a thermoforming finished plastic easily worked, molded, and thermoformed. Because of these properties, polycarbonates find many applications. Thermoforming plastics are plastics used in manufacturing processes where sheets are heated to a pliable forming temperature, formed to a specific shape in a mold, and trimmed to create a usable product strength, higher than both glass and polystyrene. Polycarbonate can undergo large plastic deformations without cracking or breaking.

Polycarbonate is a durable material. Although it has high impact-resistance, it has low scratch-resistance remedied by abrasion resistant Polycarbonate. The characteristics of polycarbonate are quite similar to acrylic, but polycarbonate is stronger and performs in a wider temperature range.

Polycarbonate is highly visible to light, with better light transmission than many types of glass. Polycarbonate is much lighter than glass, and is nearly unbreakable. Bullet-resistant variations are available and are used in windows and enclosures usually seen inside banks are often made of polycarbonate.

Polycarbonate is safe and shatterproof, transparent or translucent, durable and lightweight, with numerous optional specifications.

• Fabrication: Easy to process while maintaining material robustness, formable through machining or conventional tooling. Fabricators are offered with a multitude of possibilities with easily processed materials, supplied in numerous specifications.

• Transportation: In the automotive industry, injection-molded polycarbonate can produce very smooth surfaces that make it well-suited for sputter deposition or evaporation deposition of Aluminum without the need for a base-coat. Decorative bezels and optical reflectors are commonly made of polycarbonate. Due to its low weight and high impact resistance, polycarbonate is the dominant material for making automotive headlamp lenses.

Bullet Resistant “Glass"

Lenses

Eyewear

Sheilds

Industrial Equipment

Medical Components

Instument Components

Electrical Insulatiors

Aerospace

Portholes

Automotive Parts

Card Guides

Assembly Lines

What is Twinwall Polycarbonate?

Twinwall or Multi-Wall Polycarbonate provides excellent insulation in a ribbed air-layer configuration. Multi-walled sheets traps air within the sheet, providing outstanding thermal insulation. High impact strength with great insulation and heat retention properties make twinwall an excellent choice for roofing panels, especially among greenhouses where it has been found to be perticularly effective. Other twinwall applications include shower enclosures, partitions, window replacements, patio covers, carports, awnings, wind breaks, light covers & enclosures, and other home improvement projects.

Physical Properties of Polycarbonate Sheet

Specific Gravity

1.2

Tensile Strength

9000-10500 psi

Tensile Modulus

345k psi

Elongation % (Rupture)

100-110%

Flexural Strength (Rupture)

13k-15k psi

Flexural Modulus

345k psi

Shear Modulus

114,000 psi

Izod Impact, Notched 1/8"

12-16 lbs/in

Compressive Strength

11500 psi

Compressive Modulus

300 ksi

Rockwell Hardness

126 (D785)

Deflection Temperature

270-290F

Max Service Temperature

250F

Light Transmission
Clear 1/8":
Gray/Bronze 1/8":
Dark Grey 1/8":

86%
50%
18%

Ignition Temperature

1022F

Water Absorption
(Saturated)

0.15-0.20%

*Values listed are typical and are meant only as a guide to aid in design. Field testing should be performed to find the actual values for your application.